Resolution 1997-16
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RESOLUTION NO. 97-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF GILROY TO AMEND THE CITY'S GENERAL PLAN
DOCUMENT TO INCORPORATE SPECIFIC POLICIES
IMPLEMENTING "STRATEGIES TO BALANCE PLAN
GROWTH AND AGRICULTURAL VIABILITY"; GPA 96-01
WHEREAS, in 1994 the City of Gilroy, the Local Agency
Formation Commission (LAFCO), and the County of Santa Clara jointly
undertook an agricultural study that included the area east and
southeast of Gilroy; and
WHEREAS,
a
consultant
was
hired
to
prepare
a
comprehensive study which examined the physical characteristics,
and the political and economic dynamics which affect agriculture;
and
WHEREAS, this study was primarily undertaken as a
response to increased concerns about the potential impacts of
incremental urbanization into prime agricultural lands that
surround Gilroy; and
WHEREAS, the study compiled and reviewed approximately
twenty (20) agricultural programs, and recommended a preservation
strategy that utilized parts of several strategic programs; and
WHEREAS, following the completion of this report, the
three participating agencies formed the South County Agricultural
Study Task Force in July of 1995.
The task force membership
incorporated a cross section of community interests including the
Farm Bureau, the Board of Supervisors, Gilroy Council and Planning
Commission,
County Planning Commission,
San Martin Planning
Commi ttee and Open Space Interests.
The seven (7) member task
force was assigned the responsibility of studying the consultant's
report and recommending a joint strategy to the three agencies for
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RESOLUTION NO. 97-16
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the preservation and continued viability of agriculture. The task
force completed their work in April, 1996; and
WHEREAS a proposed policy plan entitled "Strategies to
Balance Plan Growth and Agricultural Viability" where the final
resul ts of the task forces deliberation.
These strategies were
framed in order to provide the opportunity to ensure long term
viability of agriculture in the large scale agriculture areas east
of Gilroy, as well as giving the City of Gilroy sufficient autonomy
to plan for responsible growth; and
WHEREAS on May 13, 1996, the Gilroy City Council and the
Planning Commission held a special joint study session that
reviewed the proposed task force recommendations; and
WHEREAS at their June 6, 1996 meeting, the Planning
Commission unanimously agreed to forward a recommendation to the
Ci ty Council to approve the proposed South County Agricultural
Study Task Force Report; and
WHEREAS at their June 17, 1996 meeting, the City Council
reviewed the proposed task force recommendations.
Following
discussion with County, LAFCO, and Gilroy Staff, the Council
directed the Task Force and staff to make minor adjustments to the
proposed recommendations. With close coordination with Task Force
members, staff incorporated these changes and reported back to the
Council.
On September 23, 1996, the City Council reviewed and
adopted the final draft of the "Strategies to Balance Plan Growth
and Agricultural Viability"; and
WHEREAS LAFCO unanimously approved the final draft of
the "Strategies to Balance Plan Growth and Agricultural Viability"
on October 9, 1996 and the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors
unanimously approved it on October 29, 1996; and
WHEREAS
the
proposed
General
Plan
Amendment
is
consistent with the "Strategies to Balance Plan Growth and
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RESOLUTION NO. 97-16
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Agricultural Viability" a policy document approved by city Council
on September 23, 1996, LAFCO on October 9, 1996, and the Santa
Clara County Board of Supervisors on October 29, 1996; and
WHEREAS the proposed General Plan Amendment (GPA 96-01)
policies are consistent with existing policies wi thin the City's
General Plan; and
WHEREAS, the proposed General Plan Amendment will not
have any significant environmental impacts associated with its
implementation; and
WHEREAS the proposed General Plan Amendment will improve
the consistency between the planning policies from the County of
Santa Clara and LAFCO.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
SECTION I
The City's General Plan shall be amended to read as
follows (with new language in bold and underlined typeface) :
II. URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY DESIGN POLICIES
URBAN GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT
#5. The City will establish a phasing plan for guiding future
growth in the Planning Area.
As of the date of this document,
urban development for the next 5 years will occur within the Urban
Service Area. Urban development in the 6-20 year period will occur
within the "20-year area."
The existing 20-year boundary, east of Highway 101, shall be
considered the City's long term urban growth boundary. Adjustments
to the City's 20-year boundary, east of Highway 101, shall consider
the following issues:
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(a) Minimizing public service and infrastructure maintenance
costs;
(b) Encouraging investment in existing neighborhoods;
(c) Discouraging development in areas subject to public
safety hazards, including flood hazards;
(d) Maintaining the producti vi ty and economic viabili ty of
agricultural lands by minimizing urban encroachment into
agricultural areas; and
(e) Promoting Gilroy's agricul tural heri tage by supporting
the continuation of active agricultural production along
the City's eastern border.
The 20-year boundary, east of Highway 101, is to be amended
generally in conjunction wi th a comprehensi ve ci tywide
revision of the City's General Plan in order to avoid
piecemeal and incremental amendment of the boundary.
Additional amendments may be warranted if based upon specific
area plans that take into account citywide land availability
and the obj ecti ves of the long term growth boundary or to
incorporate specific lands needed to expand the South County
Regional Wastewater Authority (SCRWA) facility.
Urban zoning, development approval and building permits will
only be granted to property within the Urban Service Area.
The city will not accept development proposals on land outside
the Urban Service Area.
Land located outside the Urban Service Area will be considered
an "Urban Reserve."
Agricul ture will be encouraged as an
interim use within the Urban Reserve.
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RESOLUTION NO. 97-16
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PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3rd day of March, 1997 by the
following vote:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: GILROY, MORALES, ROGERS, ROWLISON,
SPRINGER, VALDEZ, GAGE
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: NONE
/-
ATTEST:
.--/1'ud~
~nne E. Stel
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I, RHONDA PELLIN, Deputy City Clerk of the City of Gilroy, do hereby certify that the
attached Resolution No. 97-16 is an original resolution, duly adopted by the Council of the City
of Gilroy at a regular meeting of said Council held on the 3rd day of March, 1997, at which
meeting a quorum was present.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Official Seal of
the City of Gilroy this 10th day of March, 1997.
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Deputy City Clerk of the City of Gilroy
(Seal)